Intel Core i7-11370H vs Intel Xeon E-2278GEL Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database records a complete sweep for the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL in the direct Cinebench comparisons, taking all six recorded head-to-head tests. The Xeon wins by a narrow but consistent margin across every generation of the Cinebench rendering workload. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon scores 10220 against the Core i7-11370H's 9793, a 4.4% advantage. The single-core R23 test shows a similar gap: 1442 versus 1382, a 4.3% lead for the Xeon. This pattern repeats exactly in R20, where the Xeon posts 4292 multi-core and 605 single-core, beating the i7's 4113 and 580 by 4.4% and 4.3%, respectively. The oldest test in the comparison, Cinebench R15, follows the same script: the Xeon takes multi-core 1030 to 987 (4.4%) and single-core 145 to 139 (4.3%).

The consistency of these deltas is striking. Every multi-core test shows exactly 4.4% separation, and every single-core test shows exactly 4.3%. This suggests the performance gap is structural, not workload-dependent. The Xeon's advantage holds whether the task scales across all threads or runs on a single core. For users looking at raw rendering throughput, the Xeon E-2278GEL is the faster chip in every measured Cinebench scenario, despite the i7-11370H having a higher boost clock.

It is worth noting the i7-11370H does have additional benchmark entries in the database beyond Cinebench, including 3DMark and Geekbench results, but the head-to-head comparison table only includes the six Cinebench tests. In those six, the Xeon's win count is 6, and the i7's is 0. The average benchmark score tells a slightly broader story: the Xeon averages 2956 across its recorded tests, while the i7 averages 2861. That 95-point gap (about 3.3%) aligns with the Cinebench deltas, indicating the Xeon's edge is not confined to a single rendering application.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the recorded head-to-head data, the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL wins every benchmark category where both chips were tested. Its 4.4% multi-core advantage reflects the benefit of 8 cores and 16 threads versus the i7's 4 cores and 8 threads, though the i7's higher clocks (4.80 GHz boost versus 3.90 GHz) narrow what could otherwise be a much larger gap. The single-core wins, at 4.3%, are more surprising given the i7's clock advantage, but the data is unambiguous: the Xeon's Coffee Lake architecture delivers superior per-thread performance in these Cinebench workloads.

The Intel Core i7-11370H does have a theoretical win condition in its additional benchmark entries, though none of these appear in the head-to-head table. The 3DMark scores show strong threading scaling: 896 single-thread, 1630 at 2 threads, 2640 at 4 threads, 3564 at 8 threads, and 3588 at max threads. The Geekbench scores of 1667 single-core and 5485 multi-core are the only non-Cinebench data points for the i7. However, without corresponding Xeon results for these tests, the database cannot declare a winner in those categories. The i7's 28 W TDP versus the Xeon's 35 W TDP also suggests a power efficiency story, but the database does not record power measurements, so no quantitative comparison is possible.

For workloads represented in the head-to-head data, the Xeon E-2278GEL is the clear choice. Its wins are uniform across all Cinebench versions, which are widely used proxies for CPU rendering performance. The i7-11370H's value proposition would have to come from its mobile form factor, its PCIe Gen 4 support, or its newer 10 nm process, none of which translate into a benchmark win in the recorded tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and are built for different market segments. The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process, with a die size of 180 mm². It is part of the Xeon E-2200 series, aimed at server and workstation platforms, and uses the Intel Socket 1151. The Core i7-11370H uses the Tiger Lake architecture on a 10 nm process, with a smaller die at 146.1 mm². It belongs to the Core 11th Gen family, targets mobile devices, and uses the Intel BGA 1449 socket, reflecting its soldered, laptop-oriented design.

Core and cache configurations differ substantially. The Xeon has 8 physical cores and 16 threads, with 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The i7 has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a larger 80 KB L1 per core, a much larger 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The i7's larger per-core caches partly compensate for having fewer cores, but the Xeon's total L3 capacity is still 4 MB higher. Clock speeds favor the i7, with a 3.00 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost versus the Xeon's 2.00 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost. The i7's higher boost clock is a direct result of its newer 10 nm process and mobile tuning.

Memory support is another dividing line. Both support DDR4 with dual-channel memory buses, but the i7 has a higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s versus the Xeon's 42.7 GB/s. The Xeon supports ECC memory, which is critical for server and workstation reliability, while the i7 does not. PCIe capabilities favor the i7, which offers Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, whereas the Xeon is limited to Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: the Xeon uses UHD Graphics P630, while the i7 uses Iris XE with 96 execution units, a significantly more capable integrated GPU for mobile use.

The production statuses reflect their lifecycles. The Xeon E-2278GEL is end-of-life, having been released on June 10, 2019. The Core i7-11370H is active, with a release date of January 10, 2021. Both are locked multipliers, meaning neither supports overclocking. The Xeon carries the part number SRGE2, and the i7 is SRKH5.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278GEL has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i7-11370H has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Xeon's core count doubles the i7's in both categories.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon scores 10220 versus the i7's 9793, a 4.4% lead for the Xeon. In single-core, the Xeon scores 1442 versus 1382, a 4.3% lead.

Q: Does the i7-11370H support ECC memory?

A: No. The Core i7-11370H does not support ECC memory. The Xeon E-2278GEL does support ECC, which is a key feature for server and workstation reliability.

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core i7-11370H has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, compared to the Xeon E-2278GEL's 3.90 GHz. Despite this 0.90 GHz disadvantage, the Xeon still wins all recorded head-to-head benchmarks.

Q: What are the PCIe specifications for each?

A: The Xeon E-2278GEL supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. The Core i7-11370H supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, offering both a newer standard and more lanes.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Xeon E-2278GEL has an average benchmark score of 2956, while the Core i7-11370H averages 2861. The Xeon also ranks in the 52nd percentile of all CPUs, versus the 51st percentile for the i7.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2278GEL | Intel Core i7-11370H |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 8 | 4 |

| Threads | 16 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel BGA 1449 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Tiger Lake |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Die Size | 180 mm² | 146.1 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics P630 | Iris XE 96EU |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2019-06-10 | 2021-01-10 |

| Part Number | SRGE2 | SRKH5 |

| Launch MSRP | $519 | $426 |

The launch MSRP for the Xeon E-2278GEL is $519, and for the Core i7-11370H it is $426. Both processors have locked multipliers. The Xeon's generation is listed as "Xeon E (Coffee Lake)" while the i7's is "Core i7 (Tiger Lake-H)". The Xeon's market segment is server/workstation, which explains its ECC support and socket choice, while the i7 is a mobile part with a BGA socket and a lower TDP. The i7's integrated graphics, Iris XE with 96 execution units, is substantially more capable than the Xeon's UHD Graphics P630, reflecting the different intended use cases. The benchmark data shows the Xeon winning all six recorded Cinebench comparisons, but the i7's newer process node and higher clocks suggest it may close the gap in other workloads not covered by the head-to-head table. The database records the i7's 3DMark scores, which show strong multi-threaded scaling, and its Geekbench scores, which indicate competitive single-thread performance, but no direct Xeon equivalents exist for those tests.